Folding Box With Folding Bellows

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns collapsible or folding parallelepiped, cubic or hexagonal boxes, comprising a base wall ( 4 ) and four side walls ( 3, 5, 12 ), which are hinged successively, in each case via folding bellows ( 11, 13, 14, 15 ) arranged in the angular zones of the box, such that said folding box can shift from a flat position, wherein the folding bellows are flat and separated from one another, into a projecting position, wherein the folding bellows are assembled by compression. In flat position, each horizontal plane of the folding bellows is divided by a diagonal or oblique hinge axis ( 13 ), into an inner zone ( 15 ) and into an outer zone ( 15, 14 ), which are oriented, in each case one towards the other, as well as the respective outer zone ( 14 ), are fixed so as to be layered, against the inner face of the side wall ( 3, 5 ) of the closest side wall. At least one ( 12 ) of the side walls is, together with two folding bellows, in the form of a common part ( 9   a   , 9   b ) and is fixed on the base wall. Those two folding bellows is each hingedly adjacent one of the two opposite ends of the side wall.

(e) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a six-sided collapsible or folding box with a cubic or cuboid shape. Of the six sides, one forms a base wall and four further side walls, which are connected in succession via respective folding gussets disposed in the box corner regions. Via the latter, and the collapsible mounting of the side walls on the base wall, the folding box can be erected from a flat position, in which the folding gussets are pulled apart flat, into a raised or proud position, in which the folding gussets are pressed together. In the flat position, the respective base plan of the folding gussets is divided by a diagonal or oblique hinge axis into an inner and an outer region. In the raised position, the respective inner and outer regions of the folding gussets are raised out of the flat starting position and are pivoted towards one another via the respective diagonal or oblique hinge axis (oblique to a box centre line or axis of symmetry). The respective outer region of a folding gusset is additionally fixed so as to abut flatly the adjacent side wall, e.g. by adhesion. Further, the invention relates to a manufacturing method for such a folding box using an elongate flat blank, which has in its longitudinal direction at least three consecutive sections defined from one another by transversely extending hinge joint axes. The middle section is for forming the base wall, and the first and third sections, which may optionally form end sections, are to form parallel side walls.

A folding box roughly of this type is known from FR-A-2 415 581. It is proposed therein to manufacture the six sides (four side walls, base wall, one or more lid parts) of the folding box from a single blank composed of semi-rigid cardboard material having a substantially rectangular base shape. The hinge axes are formed by embossed bend lines. Thus the blank can be unfolded from a flat starting state, in which it requires minimal space, thus saving storage and transport room, by simple manual actions to form a box with raised side walls capable of receiving goods. To achieve sufficient stability, however, as discussed in the introduction, it is proposed that the folding gusset is fixed in each case to a partial area on an adjacent side wall, e.g. by adhesion. In FR-A-2 415 581, it is proposed on this subject, to apply an adhesive coating to the respective partial faces of the folding gusset regions even before unfolding and erection and during cutting to length of the rectangular blank from a strip of cardboard. As a complementary measure thereto, a congruent inner face region of the allocated side wall section is to be advantageously covered with adhesive. Before the drying of the one or more adhesive coatings, the surfaces of the outer folding gusset region and of the congruent inner face regions of the associated side wall must be brought into abutment with one another by folding and pivoting operations. Before the associated unfolding of the edge regions of the blank, however, the folding box blank must already be cut to length from the strip of cardboard. Since according to FR-A-2 415 581, the folding gussets are formed incorporated integrally with the blank for the folding box, for the blank as a whole only semi-rigid cardboard material can be used; otherwise, erection of the box side walls would barely be possible due to over-rigid folding gussets, whose halves must be bent out of the starting plane and pivoted on to one another.

In EP-A-0 613 827, a foldable container which may be raised from one plane is described, which is to be suitable in particular for use as a spectacle case. For this purpose, a housing of triangular cross-section is provided, whose wall sections may be folded on to one another in one plane. To form end faces, an additional folding system is allocated to the side walls. It is proposed to form the individual faces of the folding system in one piece from one coherent folding surface, whose ends come to rest on a side wall of the folding box and abut one another. In this case, the folding system is fixed to the inner faces of the side walls by adhesion.

(f) BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is, in the case of a six-sided collapsible or folding box of rectangular base plan which may be erected via folding gussets and folded away flat, to simplify manufacture and shorten the assembly time. To achieve this, the folding box indicated in claim 1 and the manufacturing method indicated in claim 13 are proposed. Advantageous, optional embodiments will appear in whole or in part from the dependent claims.

Since according to the invention two folding gussets with a box side wall are incorporated structurally into a single, separately manufactured piece, this side wall folding gusset composite can be handled as an additional blank separately from the base blank for the folding box in the manufacturing process. The additional blank is relatively simply structured in itself and can be fixed rapidly to the main or basic blank in a serial manner even before cutting to length of the main blank, e.g. can be glued on. Folding inward of the blank's side edges, in which case prior cutting to length is necessary, can advantageously be omitted in the invention.

A further advantage achievable with the invention is produced in the different material properties and thickness which is possible between the main blank and the additional blank according to the invention. Thus for the blank sections from which the side walls, the base wall and optionally the lid wall are to be formed, bend-resistant hardboard is to be used, whereas for other parts of the box, in particular the folding gussets, thinner, less bend-resistant material can be used. In this sense, an advantageous embodiment of the invention consists in forming the end sections allocated to the folding gussets in the additional blank with a smaller material thickness than the middle section acting as the side wall.

Within the scope of the general inventive notion is also a cuboid or cubic folding box, which has side parts so hinged together that the folding box may be folded together flat from an erect position as a single piece. In this case, it is advantageous that four of the side parts, e.g. two side walls, the base wall and the lid wall, are formed from a single elongate blank (main blank). In other words, the folding box according to the invention consists of three pieces, in particular a main blank and two additional blanks adhered to the inner face thereof, each of which forms one of two opposing side walls and each being incorporated integrally with folding gussets at both ends. A manufacturing method according to the invention consists, then, in that on the region of the blank which is associated with the box interior, on its longitudinal edges, preferably spaced apart opposite one another, additions are fixed which may be laid flat and erected in the manner of a hinge. An advantage gained thereby is that the additions in the raised or erected state may form opposing, parallel side walls and in the folded-down flat state may form side pockets, in which products to be stored can be received and held under gripping pressure.

In the folding box according to the invention, the rigid cuboid and cube sides connected in a hinged manner are so arranged that the folding box can be unfolded and folded together flat. The erected state can be stabilised according to an advantageous embodiment by a lock, which is located in a narrow side in the advantageously cuboid box and in the erected state. Preferably, a magnetic lock incorporated into the narrow side is used. This can be advantageously structurally incorporated in two mutually overlapping parts of a narrow side.

In a further embodiment, material which is robust, in particular resistant to bending, such as hardboard is used for the folding box, which permits the storage of solid and dry objects.

According to an advantageous embodiment, one or more connecting elements are formed especially on the edge parallel to the base of the side wall forming one piece with two folding gussets, and are allocated to the base wall for pivotable fixing of the side wall thereto. In particular, these connecting elements can be formed as flaps projecting pivotably and extending preferably flat, which then rest with a wide area on the surface of the base wall and can be adhered thereto for example. Within the scope of the principle of the invention, the fixing options for the side wall integral with the two folding gussets is not limited to gluing. This also applies to the outer region of the folding gusset, which is to be fixed on the inner face of an adjacent side wall.

In the optional formation of the folding box with a lid wall for covering the base wall, it is advantageous to expand the lid wall on a free edge (not coupled in a hinged manner) by a locking flap, which is mounted in a hinged manner on the free edge. In this case, the locking flap is structurally integral with a first locking element, to which a second complementary locking element is allocated in a side wall of the box, which is closest to the locking flap in the raised/erected state of the box. By pivoting, the locking flap can be brought into abutment with the adjacent side wall, in which case an active connection, in particular adhesive connection, is formed between the first and the second locking element. Thus the locking flap is brought into fixed abutment with the adjacent side wall, the folding gussets being pressed together and at the same time the side walls of the box being pressed against one another in an erect position. In a further sequence, the side walls are held against one another in an erect position and thus the folding box as a whole is stabilised in the raised position. The cohesion can be further reinforced according to an optional embodiment by connecting the lid wall by hinge to the side wall which extends parallel to the side wall with the complementary locking element.

In this case, the locking elements are advantageously located on one of the narrow sides in the raised or erect state of the box. Suitable embodiments of the locking elements may consist of Velcro or magnetic devices, wherein the complementary (counter-) elements are located on the one hand in the locking flap and on the other hand in the directly opposing side wall. It is also conceivable to use a pushbutton lock, wherein the pushbutton projects from the inner face of the locking flap in the direction of the exterior of the immediately opposing side wall, which has a congruent engagement recess for the pushbutton. One of further numerous alternatives might consist of a toggle lock, wherein the toggle (e.g. wooden web) is fixed to the exterior of the side wall with a string and may be inserted through a perforation in the locking flap and then is rotatable in order to engage behind the locking flap.

According to an optional embodiment of the invention, at least or only the base, side and optionally the lid wall are formed of hardboard, which allows the box in the raised state to store solid, dry objects with a particularly high level of stability. On the other hand, as an optional variant it is within the scope of the invention to form at least the folding gussets, the locking flap and/or the connecting flaps of the parallel side walls each integral with two folding gussets less bend-resistant or of a non-bend-resistant material or non-bend-resistant hardboard. In the case of the connecting flap, the use of flexible and/or pliable material e.g. in the form of a pliable paper cover is advantageous.

(g) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details, features, combinations of features or sub-combinations of features, effects and advantages on the basis of the invention will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with the aid of the drawings, which show in:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the folding box folded flat with the main blank and two parallel additional blanks adhered thereto,

FIG. 2 is a detail of the folding box according to FIG. 1 viewed in perspective,

FIG. 3 is the start of erection of the box from the flat into the raised state,

FIG. 4 is the continuation of the erection process according to FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a plan view taken obliquely of the opened folding box with three side walls raised vertically and one side wall only raised obliquely,

FIG. 6 is a plan view taken obliquely of the opened folding box with three side walls raised vertically and one side wall only raised obliquely,

FIG. 7 is the box in the same state as according to FIG. 7 (sic) from another side in order to show the locking flap in the engaging state.

(h) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to FIG. 1, in order to manufacture the folding box according to the invention an elongate main blank 1 is provided, which is divided in the longitudinal direction 2 extending from left to right according to FIG. 1 into five consecutive sections 3-7. They are defined relative to one another by four transverse hinge axes 8, formed according to the example as bending grooves, which may extend for example roughly perpendicular to the blank longitudinal direction 2. Via the transverse hinge axes 8, the individual sections 3-7 of the main blank 1 can pivot relative to one another. In the region of its two opposing longitudinal side edges, a respective additional blank 9 a, 9 b is glued on, which is divided by further transverse hinge axes 10 into two end sections 11 and a middle section 12. The transverse hinge axes 10 of the additional blanks 9 a, 9 b extend roughly congruently with the transverse hinge axes 8 of the main blank 1, which define its first section 3 from the second section 4 and its second section 4 from the third section 5 and pivotably connect the same. Similarly, the two end sections 11 of the additional blanks 9 a, 9 b are disposed congruent with the first section 3 and the third section 5 of the main blank 1, and the additional blank middle section 12 is disposed congruent with the fourth section 4 of the main blank 1.

The two end sections 11 of the additional blank 9 a 9 b have a roughly quadratic, rectangular-equilateral base plan and are each traversed by oblique hinge axes 13, which extend as diagonal angle-bisecting lines and extend from the free longitudinal edge, remote from the second section 4, of the first main blank section 3 to the adjacent, outer corner of the middle section 12 of the additional blank 9 a, 9 b. By means of the oblique hinge axes 13, the end sections 11 of the additional blank 9 a, 9 b are each divided into an outer (corner) region 13 and an inner region 15. Thus the end sections 11, as is known from FR-A-2 415 581 (see above), can act as folding gussets 11, 13, 14, 15 if upon erection of the folding box the sections 3, 12, 5 are raised as side walls, in which case the respectively inner region 15 of the end section 11 is pivoted on to its respectively outer region 14 (cf. e.g. FIGS. 3, 4 and 5). The second section 4 of the (main) blank 1 acts as a base section, whilst the fourth section 6 of the main blank 1 operates as a lid section, as can be deduced in particular from FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 7. The fifth or last folding section 7 in the longitudinal direction 2 forms on the one hand a handling flap in order to pivot manually the fourth section 6, which in the raised state of the box acts as a lid wall. This is simplified by the corner chamfers 16, which are formed on the longitudinal edges of the main blank 1 in the region of its last (locking flap) section 7.

In this section 7 a first magnetic element 17 of a certain polarity is incorporated. To this is allocated a second, complementary magnetic element 18 of opposite polarity, which is incorporated in the first section 3 acting as a side wall in such an arrangement that in the closed state of the box (cf. FIGS. 6 and 7) the two magnetic elements 17, 18 can come into active connection for mutual attraction.

According to FIG. 2 (as well as FIG. 3), it is deducible that in the additional blanks 9 a, 9 b, the thickness 19 of the end sections 11 is respectively smaller than the thickness 20 of the middle sections 12. Therefore, the end sections 11 have a certain flexibility and pliability compared to the middle sections 12, which are respectively manufactured from bend-resistant hardboard. Since, furthermore, at the end sections 11 the respectively outer (corner) region 14 is fully adhered to the first and third main section 3, 5 (which act as side walls in the raised state) via the oblique hinge axes 13 the respectively inner region 15 of the end sections 11 can be easily pivoted upward to project from the respective base section 3, 5 (cf. FIG. 2). The respective middle sections 12 of the additional blanks 9 a, 9 b are as it were carried therewith, so that in the folded-flat state according to FIG. 2, mutually opposing gripping pockets 21 are formed between the second section 4 (acting as the base wall) and a respective one of the opposing additional blank middle sections 12. If bulging objects such as e.g. purses or wallets are stored in the folding box in the raised state according to FIGS. 6 and 7, these can be gripped and held in the folded-flat state according to FIG. 2 within the gripping pockets between the base section 4 and the respective middle sections 12. The opening of the folding box and its folding into the flat state according to FIG. 2 can therefore lead to a gripping hold of objects, particularly if these extend from one additional blank middle section 12 to the opposite one.

In FIG. 3, the start of erection of the folding box from the folded-flat state to the raised state is illustrated. The first section 3 of the main blank 1 forming a box side wall and the fourth section 6 of the main blank 1 forming the lid wall are pivoted up from a substrate manually. In this case, only the inner regions 15 of the additional blank end sections 11 are raised from the main/base blank 1, because the outer (corner) regions 14 of the additional blanks 9 a, 9 b are fixed fully to the respective inner face or surface of the opposing side walls or first and third sections 3, 5 of the main blank 1. Via the further transverse hinge axes 10 of the additional blanks, also their respective middle sections 12 are pivoted up at the same time. This is permitted by flexible connecting flaps 22, which project as a continuation of a paper covering of the additional blanks 9 a, 9 b at their edge adjacent to the main blank 1 and are permanently connected thereto e.g. by adhesion. In the region in which the paper covering passes from the second (base wall) section 4 to the inner face of the respective middle section 12, a longitudinal hinge axis 23 is produced, via which the additional blank middle section 12 can be pivoted and also displaced upward, so forming a box side wall. The continuation of erection into the raised box position is further illustrated in FIG. 4.

According to FIG. 5, a respective pressure from outside on the outer faces of the opposing side wall sections 3, 5 leads to collapsing of the folding gussets 11, 13, 14, 15 via their oblique hinge axes 13. In this case, the additional blank middle sections 12, which form also mutually opposing side walls at right-angles to the first-mentioned side walls 3, 5, and via these further transverse hinge axes 10 are erected or pivoted up. The stronger the respective pressure from outside on the first-mentioned, opposing side wall sections 3, 5, the more the raised position of the four box side walls 3, 5,12 together with the associated folding gussets 11, 13, 14, 15 is stabilised.

This stabilising function is afforded according to FIG. 6 by the locking flap section 7 with integral locking magnetic element 17. The locking flap 7 is brought into abutment with the outer face of the side wall section 3, wherein the magnetic element 17 is attracted by the above-mentioned complementary magnetic element 18 in the side wall section 3. At the same time, the box has been closed by the lid wall section 6, because the latter has been connected to the locking flap section 7 in a hinged manner and thus guided on the aperture edges of the side walls 3, 5, 12. The abutment of the section 7 which is last in the longitudinal direction 2 is further clarified in FIG. 7, from which the tension force on the lid wall section 6 (and hence on the articulated first or front side wall section 3) also becomes clear, which contributes to the holding together or stabilisation of the box side walls 3, 5, 12 in the raised or erected state.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   -   1 main blank     -   2 longitudinal direction     -   3-7 sections of the main blank     -   8 transverse hinge axes     -   9 a,9 b additional blank     -   10 further transverse hinge axes     -   11 end sections of the additional blank     -   12 middle section     -   13 oblique hinge axes     -   14 outer (corner) region     -   15 inner region     -   11, 13, 14, 15 folding gusset     -   16 chamfered corner     -   17 magnetic element     -   18 complementary magnetic element     -   19 thickness, smaller     -   20 thickness, larger     -   21 gripping pockets     -   22 connecting flap     -   23 longitudinal hinge axis 

1. Cuboid or cubic or six-sided collapsible or folding box, having a base wall (4) and four side walls (3, 5, 12) which are connected in succession in a hinged manner respectively via folding gussets (11, 13, 14, 15) disposed in the box corner regions in such a manner that the folding box may be erected from a flat position (FIG. 1) in which the folding gussets (11, 13, 14, 15) are pulled apart flat into a raised position (FIGS. 5-7) in which the folding gussets (11, 13, 14, 15) are pressed together, wherein in the flat position (FIG. 1) the respective base plan of the folding gussets (11, 13, 14, 15) is divided by a diagonal or oblique hinge axis (13) into an inner (15) and an outer region (14), and in the raised position (FIGS. 5-7) the respective inner and outer regions (15, 14) are pivoted towards one another via the respective diagonal or oblique hinge axis (13) and the respective outer region (14) is fixed abutting flat with its inner face on an adjacent side wall (3, 5), characterised in that at least one (12) of the side walls (3, 5, 12) is formed together with two of the folding gussets (11, 13, 14, 15) as a common piece (9 a, 9 b) and is fixed in a hinged manner to the base wall (4), these two folding gussets (11, 13, 14, 15) abutting a respective one of two opposite ends of the side wall (12) in a hinged manner.
 2. Folding box according to claim 1, characterised in that two mutually opposite (12) side walls (3, 5, 12) are each connected in a hinged manner to two of the folding gussets (11, 13, 14, 15) in one piece and are fixed opposite one another to the base wall (4) in a hinged manner.
 3. Folding box according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one side wall (12) has a base-parallel edge, on which one or more pivotably projecting connecting elements are formed for pivotable fixing to the base wall (4).
 4. Folding box according to claim 3, characterised in that each connecting element is formed of flexible or pliable material.
 5. Folding box according to claim 3, characterised in that the at least one side wall (12) is connected to the base wall (4) by adhesion.
 6. Folding box according to claim 3, characterised in that the respective outer region (14) of the folding gusset (11, 13, 14, 15) is fixed to the inner face of the adjacent side wall (3, 5) by adhesion.
 7. Folding box according to claim 3, having a lid wall (6), which is connected in a hinged manner to one (5) of the side walls (3, 5, 12) in order to cover the base wall (5) and is provided on a laterally parallel edge with a hinged locking flap (7), with which a first locking element (17) is structurally incorporated, characterised in that in or on a side wall (3) which is adjacent to the locking flap (7) in the raised state of the box, a second complementary locking element (18) is so disposed that upon engagement behind the adjacent side wall (3) by the locking flap (7), the locking elements (17, 18) pass into adhesive connection, and the folding gussets (11, 13, 14, 15) are pressed together and the side walls (3, 5, 12) are pressed against one another in an upright position.
 8. Folding box according to claim 7, characterised in that the lid wall (6) is connected to the side wall (5) via a hinge (8) which extends parallel to the side wall (3) with the complementary locking element (18).
 9. Folding box according to claim 7, characterised in that the locking elements (17, 18) are formed to realise a Velcro, magnetic, pushbutton or loop-and-toggle lock.
 10. Folding box according to claim 7, having a cuboid shape, characterised in that the locking elements (17, 18) are located in or on a narrow side in the raised or erected state (FIGS. 5-7).
 11. Folding box according to claim 7, characterised in that at least one of the hinge axes (8, 10, 13) is formed by bending edges or grooves.
 12. Folding box according to claim 7, characterised by at least the base wall and side wall being hardboard.
 13. Method of manufacturing a folding box using an elongate, flat blank (1), which is divided in the longitudinal direction (2) into at least three consecutive sections (3-7) corresponding to two parallel side walls (3, 5) and the base wall (4) between these, the sections being defined from one another by transverse hinge joint axes (8), characterised in that in order to complete the side walls (3, 5, 12) and to form folding gussets (11, 13, 14, 15) on the blank (1), in its longitudinal edge region at least one additional blank (9 a, 9 b) is fixed, which has congruent transverse hinge axes (10), each of which defines an end section (11) with respect to a middle section (12), which is traversed by a diagonal or oblique hinge axis (13) in order to form respective inner and outer folding gusset regions (14, 15).
 14. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that an additional blank (9 a, 9 b) is used, which is formed at least in its middle section (12) between the two end sections (11) with bend-resistant material, e.g. hardboard, and in its end sections (11) with thinner or pliable material.
 15. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that an additional blank (9 a, 9 b) is used, which is provided at one edge with one or more flexible projections (22).
 16. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that the blank (1) used is expanded in the longitudinal direction (2) by a fourth section (6) coupled via a transverse hinge axis (8) to the edge of the third section (5) in order to form a foldable box lid wall for the purpose of covering a box base wall (4).
 17. Method according to claim 16, characterised in that the blank (1) used is expanded in the longitudinal direction (2) by a fifth section (7) coupled via a transverse hinge axis (8) to the edge of the fourth section (6) in order to form a foldable locking flap for the purpose of abutment against a box side wall. 